You’ll begin your trip right where Andrew Wyeth began his education in Philadelphia: the renowned Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts.

Roaming through the intimate galleries of this Frank Furness-designed architectural fantasy, you’ll find works by Thomas Eakins, Charles Wilson Peale, Mary Cassatt and, of course, Andrew Wyeth. (His Young America painting depicts a young boy on his bike.)
 

Next up is the Philadelphia Museum of Art. On Friday nights, the Art Museum lets loose with Art After 5, a weekly event where live jazz music and cocktails make your art browsing all the more fun.

And don’t leave without viewing some of the Museum’s other 200 galleries, where a full range of fine and applied arts from Asia, Europe and the U.S. are on display.

We’re treating you to something special for dinner tonight (in other words, jacket required) — the Water Works Restaurant, a new space just below the Philadelphia Museum of Art with exquisite views of the Schuylkill River and Boathouse Row.

Since water is the theme, seafood is especially apt for ordering — we recommend the Mediterranean-influenced grilled octopus. Thirsty? You’re at the right place. In addition to a generous wine list, the restaurant offers an international list of waters to try.

After dinner, step outside to enjoy the promenade along the river, the sculptural gardens and the illuminated Philadelphia skyline.
 

If you didn’t get your liquid fill at the Water Works, take a cab to the Rose Tattoo Café. A hushed space with a long list of wines, this is a perfect place to cap off your night with a hint of romance.

Or if you’re headed back to your hotel in Center City, make a stop at Chris’ Jazz Café. As live music wafts from the stage, peruse their list of cocktails for something to ease you into the end of your first Philly night.

Before heading out to the Brandywine Valley, fuel up at the Reading Terminal Market, a Philadelphia tradition since 1892 that’s now home to nearly 80 vendors. Pick up a fresh-baked brioche from Le Bus Bakery, get a jump-start with a latte from Old City Coffee or snag a booth at the Down Home Diner for rock shrimp with garlic and grits or homemade flapjacks.

Just 45 minutes outside of Center City, the Brandywine Valley is home to dozens of picturesque bed and breakfasts.

The Inn at Whitewing Farm is the kind of place that would have inspired Andrew Wyeth. It’s a 1700s farmhouse on 43 rambling acres with a guest cottage overlooking a pond. After you check in, you might want to play a set of tennis on the courts or a round of golf on the 10-hole course.

When you’re ready to hit the road again, head to the Brandywine River Museum, a converted grist mill that’s something of a haven for Wyeth fans.

Nestled beside the historic Brandywine River, the Museum’s six main galleries celebrate three generations of Wyeths, along with other Brandywine School artists.

As you stroll its galleries, remember that the very settings which inspired much of the art on view — rolling hills, snowy drifts, and, always, the Brandywine River (or creek, depending on whom you ask) — surround you. For many, this landscape, at once rough and gentle, has become synonymous with Andrew Wyeth, whose work is exhibited here in abundance.

For lunch, make like a local and grab a table at low-key Hank’s Place. This local favorite, which was once one of Andrew Wyeth’s go-to spots, specializes in just plain good diner food — and to that end, you may want to order the buttermilk pancakes. They’re outstanding, as are the omelets, and the Reuben, and…

Next stop is Brandywine Battlefield, scene of the infamous Revolutionary War battle and a creative influence on generations of Wyeths. N.C. Wyeth’s teacher, Howard Pyle, often took his students there, expounding on the site’s “blood in the soil” and the importance of connecting to their artistic subjects.

Longwood Gardens is just down the road, an internationally renowned horticulture center with 1,050 colorful acres. Each garden design is a horticultural work of art, but it is the East Conservatory, with its new water features, towering trees and seasonal displays that will take your breath away.

There are numerous possibilities for dinner. If you’re in the mood for casual, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant — the West Chester location of the local chain — is your spot.

Or you could take the short drive to the Dilworthtown Inn, where a cozy and sophisticated ambiance makes the menu of lobster and filet mignon all the more opulent. Doubling as a hotel, the Dilworthtown Inn also makes an excellent choice for your overnight stay.

Finally, the Gables at Chadds Ford, once a dairy barn, is now a sophisticated favorite of foodies. Start off with the mushroom soup; you are in mushroom country after all. After dinner, stick around for a few sets of jazz.
 

Breakfast time!

Take this opportunity to try the farm-fresh food at Talula's Table. Come dinner time, this quaint spot in Kennett Square sports a year-long waiting list for its celebrated tasting dinners. But you're free in the morning to pick out fresh sausages, soups, pies and other assorted sweets from their gourmet shop.

For a sit-down affair, try Mrs. Mike's in West Chester. They mostly serve breakfast and the staff is super friendly, making for a perfect start to your Sunday.

Start your morning with a visit to Baldwin’s Book Barn, a converted 1822 rustic stone barn that’s now delightfully crammed with more than 300,000 books, rare manuscripts and antique artwork.

If you’d prefer to devote your morning to the visual arts, head to downtown West Chester, where savvy gallery and boutique owners offer sophisticated and high-quality merchandise. The Visual Expansion Gallery specializes in original works and prints by Andrew Wyeth and other Brandywine School artists. On the other end of the spectrum, Dragonfly Gallery exhibits emerging talents working in textiles, metals and other media, while the Garrubbo Bazán Gallery takes a regional approach showing contemporary works from around the Delaware Valley.
 

Make Chaddsford Winery the last stop on your trip. On weekends, you can choose a guided or self-guided tour through the processing area, tank and barrel rooms and the bottling center.

Then take a minute to toast to your weekend, the beautiful Brandywine Valley and the memory of Andrew Wyeth.
 

Transportation

If you're traveling from New York, New England, DC, Baltimore, Harrisburg, etc., Amtrak is easy. And you can get 40% off a companion fare when you use the special discount code: V553. Book online at Amtrak or call 1-800-USA-RAIL.

Driving

If you drive here, stash your car off-street until you leave. Though you might enjoy an occasional cab, trolley or carriage ride, most of these places can be reached on foot. Parking regulations are strictly enforced in the historic area, and you may find yourself getting towed with un-municipal efficiency.

Accommodations

If you're staying in Old City, book a stay at the Holiday Inn Philadelphia :: Historic District, which has a sunny rooftop pool with a view and is just a few blocks from Independence Hall.

The Hyatt Regency is one of Philadelphia's newest hotels, a tower right on the Delaware River. Sit at the outdoor bar and listen to the creak-creak of moored boats.

Built in 1780, West Chester's Dilworthtown Inn offers colonial charm, excellent dining and an ambiance evocative of an Andrew Wyeth painting.

The Wayne Hotel is a gorgeous, Victorian-era hotel in the historic town of Wayne on the Main Line. Their signature restaurant, Taquet, offers luxurious French cuisine.

Finally, the Inn at Whitewing Farm is a bed and breakfast set in West Chester's rolling countryside. Take a break from the indoors and explore the Inn's beautiful grounds.

If you want to book a two-night stay at the same hotel, book the Philly Overnight® Hotel Package. It's a popular getaway — and a terrific deal. It’s available throughout the year (and throughout the week) and gives you free hotel parking (worth $50 or more) and several special offers. Click here to check out the package, then pick your favorite hotel.

More food and drink, please!

Of course, this itinerary is just a sample of the amazing range of food and drink in Philadelphia. Take a closer look at our Dining and Nightlife opportunities and chart your own course across the city!